The Delta Rhythm Boys Explained

The Delta Rhythm Boys
Background:	group_or_band
Genre:	R&B, jazz, gospel
Years Active:	1934–1987

The Delta Rhythm Boys were an American vocal group active from 1934 to 1987.

The group was formed at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, in 1934 by Carl Jones, Traverse Crawford, Otha Lee Gaines, and Kelsey Pharr.^[1] They moved to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1936 and worked there under Frederick Hall as the Frederick Hall Quintet and the New Orleans Quintet.

They performed on radio programs such as Amos and Andy and The Joan Davis Show, and performed on Broadway in the shows Sing Out the News and Hot Mikado. The group appeared extensively in 15 films.^[2] They resettled permanently in Europe in 1956.

Lee Gaines died of cancer in Helsinki, Finland on July 15, 1987.^{[3] [4]} At Gaines's funeral (on July 22, 1987), Hugh Bryant collapsed while performing, and died, apparently from a heart attack.^[5]

Personnel

Bass

• 1934–1987: Lee Gaines

First tenor

• 1934–1944: Elmaurice Miller
• 1940–1944: Clinton Holland
• 1944–1960: Carl Jones (died September 21, 2010)^[6]
• 1960–1974: Herb Coleman (died June 12, 1974)^[7]
• 1974–1987: Walter Trammell

Second tenor

• 1934–1975: Traverse Crawford
• 1975–1987: Ray Beatty

Baritone

• 1934–1940: Joseph "Essie" Adkins
• 1940–1943: Harry Lewis
• 1943–1960: Kelsey Pharr (died April 20, 1961)^[8]
• 1951–1954: Cliff Holland (temporary replacement for Pharr)
• 1962–1987: Hugh Bryant

Pianist

• 1934–1987: Rene DeKnight (died January 24, 2004.)^[9]

External links

• The Delta Rhythm Boys at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame website
• The Delta Rhythm Boys at Doo Wop Nation
• Jason Gross. Carl Jones Interview. Furious.com. January 2001.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Harris . Craig . The Delta Rhythm Boys . . April 12, 2020.
2. Book: Warner. Jay. American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today. 2006. Hal Leonard Corporation. 9780634099786. registration. 24. Delta Rhythm Boys.. July 24, 2016. en.
3. https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/21/obituaries/lee-gaines-73-a-jazz-singer.html Obituaries: Lee Gaines, 73, a Jazz Singer
4. Web site: The Dead Rock Stars Club - The 1980s . 2023-08-11 . thedeadrockstarsclub.com.
5. https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/24/obituaries/hugh-bryant-dies-as-he-sings-tribute-at-lee-gaines-funeral.html Obituaries: Hugh Bryant Dies as He Sings Tribute at Lee Gaines Funeral
6. Web site: Carl Jones Obituary (2010) - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times . 2023-06-09 . Legacy.com.
7. News: U.S. Singer Shot to Death . Los Angeles Times . June 13, 1974 . I-21.
8. News: 1961-04-21 . Article clipped from The Miami News . 4 . The Miami News . 2023-06-09.
9. Book: Living Blues . 2004 . Living Blues Publications . en.